Politicians who send their own children to private schools should not be hypocrites when weighing in on national and vernacular schools, said Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
He also said many politicians who play up on such issues don't even send their children to national or vernacular schools.
"We always compare national and vernacular schools, but I hope they (politicians) are not hypocrites.
"Do a study on ministers, former ministers, their children and grandchildren, the rich MPs, where do they send their children (to school).
"Most are sent to private and international schools with monthly fees that go into the thousands," he said during a press conference at Parliament today.
Last week, claims by academic Teo Kok Seong that Chinese schools fostered racism reignited heated discourse over vernacular schools.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh has called on the government to review vernacular schools, and introduce single stream schools.
Weighing in on the matter today, Syed Saddiq said that policy makers should review why some parents choose not to send their children to national schools.
"We have to be honest in charting the future of national education, we can't be quick to blame alternative education systems without realising what's wrong with the existing system.
"(Find out) why are there parents, including Malays, who send their children to vernacular, international or private schools," he said.
Syed Saddiq added that issues that drive parents towards vernacular schools include better infrastructure, besides wanting their children to learn a third language.
With that, he stressed that parents cannot be forced to send their children to national schools.
“Instead, the national school system needs to be enhanced so that it becomes the first choice for parents.” - Mkini
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